NFL Draft Combine: The world’s most gruelling entrance exam

The NFL Combine began in 1982 where potential draft picks went to Tampa in hopes to see scouts. At that time the Combine mostly focused on medical test and not all of the leagues teams showed up. Today the NFL Combine is taken much more seriously. Athletes participate in many tests and are watched very closely by team owners and coaches. The test include the 40-yard dash, the bench press, vertical leap, and many other tasks. Doing well at these tests can bump players draft picks up resulting them in extra millions of dollars. Agents have been investing $20,000 in order to prepare their players for the Combine. Athletes Performance Institute is a program in Arizona to prepare players for their difficult exams they will encounter. They are eating breakfast by 7:00 am and staring drills to practice the 40-yard dash by 8:00. They have a whole routine that goes till 1:30 and then they start the routine over again. Owners stated that they like to see the players train for the combine it shows hard work and that they will have a player for years to come.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/nfl/article/946297--nfl-draft-combine-the-world-s-most-gruelling-entrance-exam

Bellator... the new UFC

In order to start a brand new league on an up-and-coming sport is not something easy to do but the right sponsorships and the right distribution market can help a lot. Bellator, a new mixed martial arts league, has just signed a contract with MTV2 to start showing their fights March 5th. The company is hoping that the new contract will bring about more brand recognition and potential growth for the league as a whole. Bellator is hoping that the media platform they choose will put them in the market to compete with bigger, more established leagues like the UFC.

-Jake Sostheim

Video found @: http://online.wsj.com/video/bellator-ceo-on-building-a-fighting-brand/4868EC8F-0001-4B72-B0A5-B78D3E2C0A3D.html

Bubba Watson and the half-million dollar watch

Bubba Watson can be seen on the golf course wearing a watch valued at upwards of $500,000. That is like wearing a house on your wrist! There are many people who have problems with this because they assume it is a way of him showing off his fortune. Yet, when the value and information of his watch was reported, Bubba was quick to have his say on his twitter page. He stated "Everyone I have a watch deal with Richard Mille! I DID NOT BUY THE WATCH! I DID NOT BUY THE WATCH! The watch is called RM 038 Bubba Watson."
What is so great about twitter is that when these types of rumors come up athletes like Bubba can quickly take to their twitter page to give their side of the story.
While I think it is insane that Bubba is wearing an half a million dollars on his wrist. I understand that it is a sponsorship deal and he is obligated to wear it. I also know that if I was in his position I would without a doubt wear it as well. Bubba is a stand up guy and has enough respect in the golf community that I am certain this will blow over and not be a big deal.
Here is an article discussing the watch:
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Bubba-Watson-and-the-half-million-dollar-watch?urn=golf-326791
~Katelyn Dawes

All Sports News Will Now be Broken on Twitter

This article talks about the power that social media has in getting the latest news out fast. Sports reporters have learned to adapt to the changing technology and instead of rushing to their publishers with news, they sign into their twitter accounts and post it to followers within five minutes. Every reporter wants to break the news first, and sports reporters have a unique competiveness that makes them aware of the best ways to be first. They also understand that athletes can now communicate their news directly to their fans rather than having to give formal quotes. Twitter has blown up in the last year and I personally think it can be a great thing if athletes use it to their advantage.

http://www.businessinsider.com/all-sports-news-will-now-be-broken-on-twitter-2010-12

Chrysta Bayliss

Source: Mike Bibby headed to Heat

Mike Bibby is now a 32 year old point guard with no rings. He is at the tail end of his career and was just traded last week by the Hawks to the Wizards. The Wizards are one of the leagues worst teams and have virtually no chance at the playoffs. Bibby was just bought out by the Wizards and now rumors are swirling around about the heat landing him. The heat may also pick up Troy Murphy as well. The Heat will need to cut as many people as they sign. Carlos Arroyo and Jamal Magloire are the most likely candidates to be cut from the team. This may be a direct effect of Carmllo going to the Knicks and creating a huge power swing from the western to the eastern conference.

Allan Jarquin


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6167769

Attn: Baby Mama's

Dwight Howard is known for battling it out on the court but not necessarily the court room. Recently however he has had to slang it out with his baby mama (Royce) after hitting her with a lawsuit. Dwight's legal team took action after she violated a confidentiality agreement where she agreed to keep Braylon, there son, out of the limelight as well as not bad mouthing Dwight, in exchange for $500,000, a mansion, and child support. How did she violate you ask..... Well in no better way than through social media. She tweeted multiple photos of there son and started talking badly about Dwight in a reality TV show that she stars in "The Basketball Wives". This struck a cord with Dwight and he decided to persue charges. With his victory in court he can now seize all of her assets with exception of the mansion and the Court Marshall has already began work. Let this be a lesson to all baby mama's never ever ever violate a confidentiality agreement especially one made with Dwight "Superman" Howard.


Richie Marsico

http://cdn.mediatakeout.com/46966/mto_exclusive_nba_baller_dwight_howard_freezes_his_babys_mamas_accounts____sent_the_repo_man_to_her_home____to_take_her_car.html

Devils' new social media hub first of its kind in team sports history

The New Jersey Devils have launched "Mission Control" a fan oriented hub for all things social media. Stocked with multiple HD monitors, computers, and even ipads; the state of the art room is located in the Devil's home, The Prudential Center. Mission Control is the first of its kind for a major league team. Look for other Pro teams to follow suit. I think its a great way for fans to stay on top of all the social media happenings of their team. I also believe places like this can easily spawn more fan oriented content and creativity within Social Media, an incentive for any franchise.
- Lawrence Siudmak

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552931